Chapter 9
“Emily, I swear, I didn’t.”
Eric looked at me, his eyes full of helplessness and desperation.
Margaret yanked him back.
“She’s already trying to divorce you–why are you still chasing after her?”
Then she turned to me, her voice sharp like broken glass.
“I’m telling you, you wanna get a divorce?”
“Fine. But you’re walking out with nothing.”
I let out a cold laugh.
All that ranting and fake grief over her granddaughters?
Just smoke and mirrors.
This was what she came for–to squeeze me dry.
Even after Sophia and Natalie are gone, she’s still using them.
I denched my jaw.
I wasn’t backing down.
“Take it up with my lawyer.”
“Mom, just go,” Eric said, holding her back.
“Let me talk to Emily alone.”
“Eric, have you lost your damn mind?”
“I’m doing this for you!”
Margaret snapped before finally storming off.
Once she was gone, Eric lunged forward and hugged me tight.
“Emily, please,” he begged.
“I know I messed up.”
“Just–please don’t divorce me.”
22:12
Chapter 9
“I swear, I’ll be a better husband. I’ll change.”
I didn’t believe him anymore.
“Save that line for Vanessa.”
His face darkened.
“Why won’t you give me one more chance?”
“Nothing even happened with Vanessa!”
I wasn’t getting dragged into this argument again.
“Tomorrow morning. 9 a.m. Bring your ID.”
“We’re filing for divorce.”
“I’m not divorcing you,” he said firmly.
“You don’t get a say.”
“I’ve got photos of you getting cozy with Vanessa.”
“That’s more than enough to prove infidelity.”
“Take it to court, the judge will have no problem signing off on this.”
Eric went quiet.
Then he said, “I’ll get the best lawyer I can.
I’ll drag this case out two, maybe three years.
And in that time, I’ll win you back.”
I laughed.
Hard.
Not because it was funny–but because it was pathetic.
There was a time I would’ve done anything to fix our marriage.
Now he wants to pull the same move?
Karma’s got a sense of humor.
“This divorce is happening. Period.”
I unlocked the door and walked in without another word.
22.12
ר.
Chapter
No matter how hard Eric knocked, I didn’t open it.
22:12
